Tiger Talk

Developing Lifelong Learners who Grow, Lead and Inspire

Tiger Talk

Developing Lifelong Learners who Grow, Lead and Inspire

TPGES Post Observation Conference

Many of you are scheduled for your TPGES "full" observation either this month or next. The full observation includes feedback in all four domains. My goal is for the post observation conference to be focused and centered on your "Big Rocks" of instruction and professional growth. So, following the full observation, I will share the draft of my notes with you in CIITS (You will get an email that says the draft is ready for you to view.) I would like for you to select one indicator in each domain that you want to discuss in our conference. You will lead that discussion around selected indicators, evidence in the observed lesson and within the larger context of your teaching. I will also select a few indicators for our conversation should time allow. Looking forward to extended time in your classrooms and follow up conversations about celebrating and growing your practice!

Teacher Leader Feature: Kara Clark

Kara Clark was scheduled to attend The Society for Technology in Education (KySTE) conference in Louisville on Thursday, but Mother Nature had other plans. KySTE quickly sent out an alert that folks who could not make it on Thursday could come to rescheduled sessions on Friday. I happen to be at the conference presenting with Tommy Hurt and Adam Watson when who should I run into...Kara Clark. She had her iPhone out with a full schedule of learning loaded up and a big smile on her face. Now THAT'S a Teacher Leader! Kara shared some of her learning with me, and we will find time for her to share with you. Thanks Kara, for having such a growth mindset for professional learning and forging ahead with your professional learning plan. Rain, sleet or snow--teacher leaders never stop!

Seek First to Understand and Then to Be Understood

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand. Most people listen with the intent to reply.” - Stephen Covey

Empathic listening is DIFFICULT – especially for us quick problem solvers. A challenge for us all this month as we focus on Habit 5 – Identify a personal or professional relationship that challenges you the most – one where communication is poor, ineffective, or even guarded. Spend the next 3 weeks consciously listening with the intent to understand. Once you are confident the other person feels understood, you can share our own point of view with respect and clarity.

New Southside Parking Requirements Begin Monday, March 9

The Learning Center will have its first PD event this week with TSI being held on our campus at The Learning Center March 9-12. From this date forward, we will follow the parking arrangements in the attachment sent prior to Tiger Talk. By parking in the SSE designated spots daily we will have parking available for The Learning Center when needed and without announcement. Thank you for your attention to this important detail!

Guidance Reminders

Please be on the lookout for a calendar invite for classroom guidance and please respond if you have not already.

This Friday at Morning Meeting we will honor students for Habit 4. Blank certificates will be by the mailboxes. Please fill it out and have it in Santina’s mailbox by Thursday March 12.

Parent/Teacher Conferences: March 19 4:00-7:00PM

Please give a copy of your completed conference schedule to both Dianna and Marsha by Monday, March 16. They answer phone calls frequently concerning conferences and will need your schedule in order to assist parents.

PTO will provide dinner for staff on March 19th. It will be available in the upstairs teacher workroom beginning at 3:00PM.

Animal Tales Assembly-Reschedule for Monday, March 9th

Thank you to Karen McPherson for scheduling the onsite event and for the schedule below:

8-8:50 Hardesty, Roos, Smith

9-9:50 K. Clark, Meyer, Abbott

10-10:50 Stevens, B. Clark, Dierson

11-11:30 Lunch

1130-12:20 Roberts, Dykes, Manning

12:30-1:20 Valerio, Tower, Atkins

1:25-2:10 Carreer, Sharp, Cole

Reminder: March Transportation Rosters DUE to Dianna Monday!

This Week at Southside

Read Across America - Snow Can't Stop Us!

MONDAY/TUESDAY: DR. SEUSS TRIVIA AND WINNING CLASSROOMS

Susie will be out Tuesday, March 10-Friday, March 13 t0 visit schools in California through the Race to the Top Grant/Innovation Support. I can't wait to return and share my learning with our staff! We are scheduled to see schools with high implementation of technology for personalized learning, project based learning and much more!

Monday, March 9

Animal Tales On Site Assembly (all day--see schedule)

Tuesday, March 10

Thinking Strategies Institute Lab Classroom Visits with Amanda Atkins

10:00 Statewide Tornado Drill

NO Staff Meeting (Reminder: March 31 2:45-5:00)

Wednesday, March 11

BETH OUT for FRC Conference

8:30-1:30 SANTINA OUT for Building Assessment Coordinator training @CO